Didier Drogba has urged Nigerians to keep faith with the Super Eagles, saying the team deserves support as they fight to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Footynaija.com reports.
The former Chelsea striker said it would be good for Africa to have Nigeria at the next World Cup, insisting that the team remains strong even after missing out on the 2022 edition in Qatar. Drogba compared the pressure on the Super Eagles to the kind of expectations Chelsea face whenever they fail to win trophies.
He explained that African fans sometimes forget how hard it is to maintain consistency at the top level, especially for a country that has a history of winning.
The Ivorian legend made the remarks while speaking in a report by Punch Sports Extra, where he reflected on Nigeria’s recent performances and the weight of fans’ expectations.
“It would be nice if they qualify because to have Nigeria in a World Cup is very important for Africa. But if they do not qualify, the team that would be representing us, we will be proud to support,” Drogba said.
“You know, if Nigeria had won the African Cup of Nations, you would not even be saying that. But that is football, you know, it does not mean that your team is not good. They were in the final. You were supporting them all through the campaign and then all of a sudden they lose, then finish!” he added.
Drogba also criticised how quickly Africans turn against their teams after a single defeat, pointing out that even a second-place finish should not be seen as failure.
“They are so bad, they criticise them from right to left, and it is always like that in Africa. You finish 2nd, it is like Chelsea finishing 2nd in the Premier League. Like it does not count,” he said.
“That is the level of expectation because you have won before. So I think the team is good. You have Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman — they won the last two Ballon d’Or. I mean, you have a team that can perform, but then you have opposition. You think the other team, because it is Nigeria, they are gonna sit like this?” Drogba concluded.
